Indian Express reported that despite stiff resistance from Naxalites, the Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday decided to start work from December on development of a new iron ore mine, which will feed the Bhilai Steel Plant, and construction of a new railway line in Chhattisgarh to transport minerals.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by senior officials of Home and Steel ministries and the Steel Authority of India.

The Rowghat iron ore mine is the proposed future captive iron ore mine of Bhilai Steel Plant, for which all statutory clearances have been obtained. The steel plant may have to stop production in four years if new source of iron ore is not found.

It was also decided to provide financial assistance and employment to nearly 200 people who will be displaced due to construction of the new railway line.

A 90 km railway line is to be set up to transport iron ore from Rowghat, through Balod, Kanker, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Jagdalpur.

Source - Indian Express

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